Jean-Michel Basquiat’s El Gran Espectaculo (Nile) sold at auction for $67.1 million. Christie’s on Monday night.

Alex Rotter, chairman of Christie’s, said: “Basquiat’s genius is undeniable. His influence transcends boundaries, embracing fashion, art and pop culture. The impact it continues to have on culture is inevitable. El Gran Espectaculo (Nile) is a true masterpiece.”

Titled El Gran Espectaculo (Nile), the painting features floating skulls and figures against a backdrop of engraved phrases referring to pharaohs and ancient Egyptian monuments. In the center of the picture, the god Osiris is depicted in a yellow boat sailing along the Nile River.

The painting consists of this impressive triptych, which uses symbols and imagery to reflect his never-ending quest to use art as a medium to represent the concerns of the African diaspora in the broader context of world history.

Basquiat’s work has been in the personal collection of Valentino Garavani for 18 years and was featured in the 2010 issue of Vanity Fair. The Italian fashion mogul was photographed sitting in front of a painting.

Four years ago, Garavani paid tribute to the artist with a collection of graffiti-patterned dresses using his images, after receiving permission from the Basquiat Archives Foundation.

In May 2021, Valentino co-founder Giancarlo Giametti sold a 1983 Basquiat painting for $93.1 million.